Her Honor-Bound Cowboy

Cowboy Josh Baxter hadn't bargained for a feisty widow and her newborn baby when he came home to take over his family ranch. After all, he hadn't even known his brother had married. Bound by duty to care for mother and child, Josh has only one solutionmarriage.

Emily will do anything to hold on to her share of the ranch she lovesexcept agree to a proposal of convenience. But she can't deny the tender feelings that overcome her when she sees Josh holding her tiny daughter. And she isn't sure she can hold out against the handsome cowboy for long!

Chapter One

Josh's heart thundered in his ears as he stared at the rifle aimed at him. A rifle held by a woman with fierce, blue eyes that pierced him with a don't-mess-with-me look. A growling dog the size of a wolf stood at her side.

Josh had followed his brother's directions carefully. This had to be his brother's home. His too, seeing as they were partners. "Where's Cody?"

The rifle lowered.

"Who are you?" the woman asked.

Did he imagine the tremor in her voice? Could be she was as frightened as he'd been. "Joshua Baxter. And you?"

"Emily Baxter."

The name jarred through him.

"Cody was my husband," she added with a hint of challenge.

"Was?" He didn't care for the sound of that word.

She nodded. "He died six months ago."

Silence hung heavy between them as he tried to digest this news. "You might have let me know."

She shrugged. "Didn't think I'd ever see you."

That hurt. "I always meant to come. Cody knew that." Cody had taken their combined savings and gone to find the land that would become their ranch while Josh had remained behind to continue mining their gold claim until he had enough to buy them a herd of cows.

"A year seems like a long time."

"We've been in touch. But he never mentioned you. Seems mighty strange." He squinted at her. Was she trying to con him? Well, she'd picked the wrong man to trick. He'd seen most every kind of scam while at the gold camp.

"Lady, I don't know who you are. Or where my brother is. But I ain't about to believe he's married to you. Now maybe you should pack your belongings and move on. Try your shenanigans on someone else."

A thin wail broke the stunned silence.

She picked a baby from a cradle by the fireplace.

A baby! Was it Cody's or had she married another man and allowed him to take over the ranch?

***

Emily cradled baby Cathy close. She'd hoped Cody's brother would never come and demand his share of the ranch. Would he kick her off the place? She'd fight to keep her share. But if he wanted proof of her marriage, she could provide it.

"My baby needs feeding." She wouldn't look at the man until her heart stopped racing and she sorted out how she was to deal with him.

"Fine. I'll wait. I don't intend to go anywhere until I get to the bottom of this. Do you mind calling your dog off?"

"Brute. Sit." Cody had never let the dog indoors but after his death, she'd kept him close. He made her feel safe.

Thirteen-year-old Nancy came in with the eggs. She saw a man in the house and ground to a halt.

"Nancy, this is Josh." Nancy's family were neighbors. Her ma had helped deliver the baby a week ago then left Nancy with Emily to help.

Emily left the two staring at each other, Brute watching them and took baby Cathy to the bedroom to nurse her.